I've been talking to quite a few stonemasons lately trying to decide what sort of benchtop to get. All the architects are buying out all the white marble again which means the trend will be pushed that way again. The stonemason said that 95% of his work last year was engineered stone, this year it's all calacutta and carrara. Mind you the difference between a slab of calacutta is around $3000- $5000 and carrara about $700-$1100.
I am none the wiser, oh accept dark granite. I'll keep that for the tombstone thanks!